Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
American
Macrobiotic
Organic
Western
Juice bar
Take-out
Bakery
Honey
Breakfast
Vegetarian restaurant that has been revived and now includes a juice and coffee lounge. Located in the Creston Business District. Open Wed-Fri 9:00am-4:00pm, Sat-Sun 9:00am-3:00pm. Closed Mon and Tues.
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1553 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, 49505
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Last update on 07 Mar 2021 by Guest
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Added by Tweeprise on 07 Mar 2021
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5 Reviews
First Review by Tweeprise
TurnipForPlants
Points +2276
Grand Rapids' Vegetarian Restaurant - Edit
Gaia Cafe is Grand Rapids' only entirely vegetarian restaurant. It has gone through a couple closures throughout the years, but it is currently back open and ready to serve you.
Read moreIt is great that we have a vegetarian restaurant like this in a city that is not known for its overt vegan scene. However, this also makes it very difficult to write this review. I want to support this restaurant. It is just unfortunate that the only visit I have had to Gaia Cafe was not great.
When I ordered I noticed a lack of vegan options on the menu, nor recommendations for vegan customizations. When I asked the server for advice on vegan options, they seemed confused. It was a response I would expect at a heavy meat centric restaurant, but not one I was expecting at a vegetarian restaurant. After clarifying that I would not like eggs or dairy she gave a few options. The options were sparse - mostly consisting of boiled vegetables.
I settled on the veggie hash with vegan cheese. It was okay. I enjoy vegetables in all forms, but it was definitely not something I would recommend to a vegan curious omnivore. The vegetables tasted boiled with maybe slight soy sauce. It was disappointing from this type of restaurant.
We also ordered two juice drinks. I think I might have liked the drinks had they been cold. Gaia Cafe brags that they do not water down their drinks with ice. Please, for all goodness, water down your juice with ice. I would rather have a refreshing drink than more of a concentrated warm smoothie.
I will eventually make another trip to Gaia; however, it has not been at the top of my list to revisit. Maybe I just had a bad combination of server and food choice. Even so, I want to root for a restaurant that has to gumption to be all veggie in our meat crazed country. If I return I will make sure to update my review.
For now, this is a restaurant I would recommend for someone who is vegetarian. It is probably really good for vegetarians! But there are better vegan options at other restaurants around Grand Rapids.
Update:
I decided to give Gaia Cafe another visit, and I am very happy I did. The server was knowledgeable about vegan options and helped me choose a much better vegan reuban sandwich with a chilled berry smoothie.
The sandwich was filling, tangy, and hearty, with pickled onions on a slice of tempeh on rye bread. I would order it again. How much it mimics a classic reuben is debatable. I would highly recommend the smoothie options over the juice.
Updated from previous review on 2024-05-05
Pros: Entirely Vegetarian, Cool external building art, Cozy interior
Cons: Warm juice
Guest
nsiblal
Points +24
Delish!!! - Edit
I am a new whole foods plant based eater and this place did not disappoint! The young woman was very patient with me since I had questions about the menu. I ordered:
Read moreJapanese Miso Soup- nicely and naturally salted by the miso and oh so scrumptious balanced portions of chopped portobello mushrooms and scallions.
“Reuben”- oh so nicely baked tempeh offset with purple kraut that had a nice balance of vinegar. The tempeh and kraut were nestled between slightly toasted Rye bread.
Smoothie with bananas mango pineapple strawberries completed my meal.
I traveled to the area for a retreat and this will be my go to place if I am ever back to the Grand Rapids area!
Pros: Lots of vegan options
Guest
pahpek
Points +16
Still Great Breakfast - Edit
I don’t know how long ago Gaia sadly closed on the southeast side, but we finally took the opportunity to fine them on Plainfield NE. A very comfortable vibe and the vegan breakfasts were still excellent (although I missed seeing the Tex-Mex on the menu!).
Read moreGuest
skking1961
Points +85
So glad I found it again! - Edit
I thought I’d lost this place but here it is resurfacing somewhere else. Cute cafe. Same great home style food.
Read morePros: Lots of vegetarian options, Home style vegetarian cooking, Homemade tempeh
Cons: None!
Guest
Tweeprise
Points +303
Happy you guys are back - Edit
Best vegetarian food in Grand Rapids. I especially love for breakfast
Read moreGuest
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